Monday, October 24, 2011

Upaya Dharma Podcasts - Stephen Batchelor: 10-19-11: Truth And Violence

A lot of Buddhists seriously dislike Stephen Batchelor, but I am not one of those people. His perspective on Buddhist philosophy and psychology is a lot more 21st century than some people are comfortable with - in fact, I suspect he and Sam Harris would get along quite well.

Upaya Zen Center

Stephen Batchelor: 10-19-11: Truth And Violence

Speaker: Stephen Batchelor
Recorded: Wednesday Oct 19, 2011

Stephen Batchelor critiques the popular conceptions of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the four noble truths. He proposes that the “truths” may not be truths at all, but are tasks we undergo on the path to awakening. Additionally, he describes the relationship between the belief in truths and violence.

Stephen Batchelor is a British author, teacher, and scholar, writing books and articles on Buddhist topics and leading meditation retreats throughout the world. He is a noted proponent of agnostic or secular Buddhism. A former Tibetan and Zen monk, Stephen disrobed in 1985 and married fellow practitioner Martine Fages. Stephen and Martine now live in Aquitaine, France.

1 comment:

Sage said...

Stephen Bathcelor is on my very short list of western born Buddhist teachers that in reality I can really consistently stomach anymore quite frankly. Joan Halifax is also on that same short list!